Carlos Vela could make a sensational return to Arsenal from Real Sociedad, after his former club have been impressed by his performances for the Spanish club and are willing to exercise the buy-back clause included in the striker’s contract, according to a report from Metro.

There is no doubt about the fact that Arsenal are in need of firepower up front, and Arsene Wenger is looking to add to his squad sooner rather than later. As seen in the pursuit of Julian Draxler this past winter, Arsenal deploy a strategy of leaving the bid for their target late in the window expecting the selling club to balk under the pressure of receiving funds. However, after the fall in the standings through the course of the campaign, Wenger is not ready to take any further risks in this window, and would prefer to sign up most of his targets before the FIFA World Cup begins in less than a month’s time.

Vela joined Arsenal in 2005 from Guadalajara as a fresh youth graduate, and signed up for the Gunners’ senior squad immediately. However, his seven year stint with the club was dominated by loan spells to Salamanca, Osasuna, West Bromwich Albion and Sociedad. The fee in question for his second move to Arsenal is in the region of £3.2 million.